CHECK THE HEALTH OF YOUR BABY

GESTATION
From 18 weeks

ULTRASOUND BABY SCAN VIDEO

Deborah explains the Fetal Well Being Pregnancy Scan

More information about the Wellbeing Pregnancy Scan:

The well-being scan is offered for a number of reasons. It determines the lie or presentation of the baby (breech, transverse or cephalic), it provides us with information about the placenta location and appearance, it establishes an estimated fetal weight, it examines the umbilical cord Doppler flow to determine whether the placenta is functioning as it should, it calculates the amniotic fluid volume around the baby and it allows for the sonographer to check the standard fetal measurements. Time is also taken to make sure that the baby is swallowing, breathing and moving normally.

What to expect from a Fetal Well Being Pregnancy Scan

The sonographer will put some gel on your tummy and move a probe over the skin. The image will come up on a big screen television so that you can see all the structures that are being examined. The presentation of the baby and location of the placenta are established. Standard measurements are taken of the fetus’ body parts. This includes measurements of the head, abdomen and femur bone in the leg. The main organs are examined.

The baby’s weight is then estimated. The fetal breathing and movements will also be monitored throughout the duration of the scan. The amniotic fluid volume, placenta location and umbilical artery resistance index is assessed. The sex of the baby can also be determined at this stage so feel free to ask the sonographer to disclose this information.